Question 1

How do you authenticate an antiquarian book before purchase?

Accepted Answer

Every La Librairie Antique listing explicitly mentions the first edition status (E.O. or 1st edition), print run, publication date (colophon), binding type (leather, parchment, gilding), format (12mo, folio, etc.), and detailed condition (foxing, dampstains, repairs if any). We provide multiple high-resolution photos. For items above 500 EUR, a provenance certificate is included when available.

Question 2

Do you ship to the United States? Will I pay import duties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Antiquarian books ship duty-free to the USA under HTS code 9903.01.31 ("informational materials" exception, still valid after the August 2025 de-minimis suspension). Delivery: 7-12 days via Colissimo International tracked, 3-5 days via DHL Express. State sales tax may apply depending on your state (typically 0-9%).

Question 3

What payment methods do you accept from international buyers?

Accepted Answer

All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB), PayPal with Buyer Protection (recommended for non-EU customers), SEPA bank transfer for Europe, and SWIFT international wire for orders above 2000 EUR. Stripe-secured checkout (PCI-DSS Level 1).

Question 4

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

30-day return window for international buyers. Full refund (including return shipping) if the book does not match our description. Convenience returns: buyer covers return postage, refund issued upon receipt of the book in its original condition.

Question 5

How can I verify a first edition?

Accepted Answer

A first edition (often abbreviated E.O. in French) is the first published version of a work. Identifiers: print run statement at the front/back, colophon date, paper and format specifications, reference bibliographies (Vicaire, Carteret for French literature, Sadleir for 19th century English literature). Every listing mentions first edition status explicitly when applicable.

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Our Antiquarian Books Catalog

Horace's Odes - 1822 Edition❦ Odes d’Horace 1822

Educational Architecture by McKim, Mead & White❦ Recent buildings designed for educational institutions 1936

The Origin of Flowers: Alboulkasem's Dream❦ fleurs l’origine des fleurs ou le songe d’Alboulkasem

Court Painter of the Sun King❦ RENÉ ANTOINE HOUASSE ( 1645 1710 ). Peindre pour Louis XIV

Amanda - 1949 Edition❦ WOLO Amanda 1949

Young Guard #1: The Commune Centenary❦ Jeune garde n°1 1971 comité rouge et de la ligue communiste cent ans LA COMMUNE

Cult of Our Lady in Touraine❦ Tours MOUSSE (Chanoine) Le Culte de Notre-Dame en Touraine

Detailed study of pheasants❦ Bird Monograph of the Pheasants Beebe

Adventures of a Hero from Tarascon❦ DAUDET 1885 Tartarin sur les Alpes Nouveaux exploits du héros Tarasconnais

Grammar of Old French: morphology and syntax❦ Grammaire de l’ancien Français: morphologie – syntaxe 1976

Exploration of Bullfighting Art❦ JACA Tauromachie CORRIDA 1955

Sovereigns of the 19th Century❦ BIOGRAPHIE DES SOUVERAINS DU XIXe SIÈCLE

Médoc wine and spirits catalog❦ Médoc cave du Médoc vins & spiritueux catalogue 10 x 14,5 cm

Guide to Practical Plant Knowledge❦ Pflanzen Praktische Pflanzenkunde für Handel, Gewerbe und Hauswirtschaft 1900

Contemporary Writers' Portraits❦ contemporains Meyerbeer MIRECOURT Gautier, Viennet, Elie Berthet, Henri Heine

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